BAHRAIN Rugby Football Club’s (RFC) first XV produced one of the biggest scorelines in the club’s history on Friday as they strengthened their position at the top of the West Asia Premiership standings with a 7-88 victory over Dubai Eagles in Dubai.
Despite an impressive performance in the sides’ most recent encounter in Saar back in September – in which the Dubai outfit opened up an early lead before the hosts pulled clear late on – the Eagles were no match for a rampant Bahrain side who ran in 14 tries to a consolation penalty try in return.
The tone for the day was set as early as the third minute when Lindsey Gibson got himself on the end of an attacking move to touch down for the opening try of the afternoon and full-back Luke Radley duly added the conversion for a 0-7 lead.
The score was doubled inside the 12th minute when the powerful Sunia Fameitau crashed over for a second touchdown, which Radley converted again, and a brace from winger Graham Bishop had the bonus-point secured within half hour.
Elliot Behan then got himself in on the act before Deina Morete scorched clear to make it 0-36 at the break. Morete picked up from where he left after the restart and further scores from Oli Sanson and second row Tom Bell took Bahrain past the half century.
Gibson and Bell – who finished the game at outside centre – completed their respective braces and there was still time for Radley and substitute backs Callum Roberts and Rob Bennett to add their names to the scoresheet.
Radley finished the game with five conversions to his name, with debutant James Whittingham adding a further four.
The recurrence of a shoulder dislocation for Bishop put something of a dampener on things for the visitors, who get set to welcome Dubai Exiles to Saar next Friday.